Petition to the General Conference, 2004,
The United Methodist Church

In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions,
the following is submitted for action by the General Conference, 2004.

PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 2

SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: Teen Sexual Identity and Suicide Risk

PETITION CONCERNS: New Resolution

FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None

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PETITION TEXT:

In the year 2003 at least 700,000 high school students will attempt suicide -- one in every 13 high school students in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among adults have steadied or even declined over the past few decades but teenage suicide rates have tripled.

A 1989 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that teens dealing with issues of sexual identity are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than are other youth.

The United Methodist Church, in 62.H, states, "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons."

The General Conference will establish and fund a task group which will:

• Publish, in laypeople's terms, a summary of current research on homosexual youth at risk for suicide;
  
  
• Work with organizations currently doing research on these issues;
  
  
• Provide a directory of agencies working on issues of teen suicide among youth dealing with issues of sexual identity;
  
  
• Publish a resource for congregations and families which provides accurate information, recommendations for programs, and pastoral guidance.
  
  
• Make recommendations for legislative actions within the United Methodist Church;
  
  
• Make recommendations for programs for youth through congregations, districts, conferences, mission agencies, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men and other organizational bodies of the United Methodist Church.
  
  
• Report to the 2008 General Conference on its findings and work.

Budget: For Information Total: $ 375,000

Task Group Meetings (6 meetings in 4 years) $75,000

Task Groups Administrative Expenses $50,000

Consultant for research, writing, networking, and meeting planning $150,000

(3 years part time at $50,000 per year)

Publication $50,000

Work with organizations $50,000

Report to GC (Video and PowerPoint) $25,000

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DATE: November 24, 2003

SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of

PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action
(endorsing petition as authored by the Women's Division)

TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806
FAX: 202-546-6811
E-MAIL: kj@mfsaweb.org

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